Expert Tips to Master Effective Product Scaling
Kos Chekanov
CEO, Artkai | Helping with Strategy, Design & End-to-End Development of Customer-centric digital products and services
Did you know that around 70% of digital transformations and products end up failing because of premature and inefficient scaling?
Yes, product scalability is crucial for business growth. But you should do it right and on time. There is a 2 Ps rule when it comes to scaling - you have to take care of PERFORMANCE and PROCESS. And that’s where many founders came across a lot of problems.
Speaking of problems, there are 9 core ones related to scaling.
Today I’d like to talk about each of them in detail, share effective solutions, and best practices used by my team.
This is going to be a very insightful reading! So get yourself comfortable, and let’s begin.
9 product scaling problems and best ways to solve them
As products expand, technical, operational, and financial aspects present many challenges to founders. If you ignore core scalability issues, you will likely face some serious additional problems:
To successfully navigate these challenges, you should prioritize software stack and infrastructure audits, refactor code to reduce technical debt, and update the codebase. Also, don’t forget to invest in hiring a professional workforce and engage with scalability experts or specialized firms for smooth scaling.
And now let’s talk about 9 scaling problems I mentioned earlier, and see how you can deal with them.
Problem 1: Legacy Systems & Technical Debt
Businesses with older digital products may face scalability issues due to outdated code systems that are not optimized for modern infrastructures and integration with new tools and platforms.
Additionally, legacy code can cause problems with maintainability, support costs, delays in new feature releases and necessary updates, and overall system efficiency.
Solutions:
– Start a phased approach to getting rid of legacy systems and refactoring code to reduce technical debt and modernize the codebase.
– Do architecture audits, rewrite critical sections of the solution in a modern language or framework, ensuring that new code adheres to current best practices.
– Consider breaking down the monolithic product architecture into microservices or cloud-based solutions to enhance scalability and maintainability.
– Do everything in iterations, allowing the business to keep working and achieving its goals without the development team blocking it.
Problem 2: Scaling MVP to Fully-Fledged Product
Founders often begin with an MVP development to test the market and gather necessary insights. But sooner or later there's a need to scale the MVP into a complex, feature-rich product.
The MVP is often built with shortcuts and temporary solutions unsuitable for large-scale use. Initial infrastructure might not support the increased load, leading to performance and reliability issues. The shift could also strain resources regarding finances and staffing, making maintaining the product's quality while scaling challenging.
Solutions:
– Perform a comprehensive audit of the MVP architecture and codebase.
– Identify potential bottlenecks and weak points.
– Develop a roadmap that prioritizes critical updates, ensuring infrastructure is robust enough to handle increased traffic.
– Conduct rigorous testing, particularly load and stress tests, to simulate increased user loads.
– Secure additional funding or resources to manage the transition smoothly.
– Ensure the in-house team is manageable during this critical phase or seek assistance from a development partner with a scaling specialization.
Problem 3: Infrastructure Limitations
Traditional architectures might not efficiently support the growing number of users, leading to performance issues, downtimes, and a negative user experience.
Solutions:
– Transition to cloud-based solutions like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud.
– Consider implementing microservices architecture to ensure components can scale independently.
Problem 4: Inefficient Codebase
As the product grows, legacy code or “quick fixes” can become bottlenecks, affecting performance and increasing the difficulty of adding new features.
Solutions:
– Regularly refactor and optimize the code.
– Invest in code reviews and audits, and consider implementing coding standards to maintain a clean and efficient codebase.
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Problem 5: Database Scalability
A non-scalable database can become a significant bottleneck, causing slow response times and potential data losses.
Solutions:
– Consider distributed databases like Cassandra or MongoDB.
– Implement caching solutions like Redis to improve response times.
Problem 6: Customer Support Challenges & Cost
As products become more complex and the user base grows, customer support costs and inquiries increase exponentially. Inefficient customer support can increase churn rates, damage brand reputation, and drain additional resources.
Solutions:
– Implement automated support systems and scalable tools such as chatbots or AI assistance to handle routine queries.
– Utilize platforms like Zendesk or Freshdesk for efficient ticket management.
– Enhance user onboarding and improve product CX to reduce errors and support inquiries.
Problem 7: Big Licensing Costs
As a product scales, businesses may need to invest in expensive software tools or platforms. These costs can quickly accumulate, especially if the company needs to optimize its software stack or discovers overlapping functionalities across tools.
Solutions:
– Continually review and audit the software stack.
– Choose open-source alternatives where possible.
– Negotiate bulk or long-term licensing agreements to secure better rates.
– Consider the MACH development stack (Microservices Architecture, API-First Approach, Cloud-Native Infrastructure, Headless Architecture) combined with Custom Development. Custom software solutions that, while initially more costly, can be more cost-effective in the long run.
Problem 8: Integration with Third-Party Services
Integrating with third-party services for payment gateways, analytics, or other functionalities can be complex as products become more diverse. This can lead to inefficiencies, data silos, and system vulnerabilities.
Solutions:
– Plan integrations meticulously, ensuring compatibility and security.
– Use established integration platforms or middleware solutions like Zapier.
– Regularly review and update integrations to keep them optimized and secure.
Problem 9: Lack of In-house Expertise
Scaling often requires adopting new technologies or methodologies, which may slow down efforts, lead to suboptimal decisions, or introduce vulnerabilities due to a lack of knowledge.
Attracting and retaining top talent can be challenging, mainly when larger companies offer more attractive compensation packages and benefits. New hires require resources to cover recruiting fees, social payments, and taxes, complicating the dismissal process in case of team reduction.
Solutions:
– Invest in training and development for the in-house team.
– Consider hiring specialists or consultants to tackle particular scaling challenges.
– Alternatively, partner with companies specializing in scalability to leverage their expertise.
Our 7 best practices for solving product scaling problems
There are 7 most effective practices that my team applies and solves product scaling problems easily. Check and try them out:
Summing up
In the digital-centric business ecosystem, identifying and promptly addressing product challenges is paramount. If you ignore them and don't start scaling on time, this will influence your essential business metrics, affecting the immediate bottom line and long-term viability.
These days to be a leader in your business niche, you need a digital product that looks and feels modern. So in case your product gives an outdated vibes (i.e. has performance issues, poor UX, or does not meet new users needs), start working on it.
Do audit, identify areas of improvement, build right scaling strategy, and scale!
And if you need any help with all that, just DM me ;)
Let's start with a free consultation!